Elton got 22 shots? Really? Because it seemed like the Clippers couldn't find him all night. What happened to the foolproof Side Screen & Roll? The efficient two-man game? Did Shaun forget how to deal an entry pass? I know Kurt Thomas was back but, still, how difficult is it to work it inside against this team? I imagine that a good number of Elton's 22 shots came from his 8 offensive rebounds.

Dunleavy will be tempted all season to go small, as he did tonight, with EB at the center and TT at the 4.

Don't.

The Clippers effectively surrendered their strength and, in turn, were never able to set up shop on the block. They never ran their sets and never pushed the Suns beneath the basket - even when the Suns had Nash, Barbosa, and Banks on the floor together. The best we can say is that the Clippers posted up their guards, to moderate success. But too often the Clippers settled for lousy jumpers offered up by a team of inferior size and strength. They took the bait.

On offense, PHX's m.o. was to pull the Clips' big away from the basket, thereby giving themselves the opportunity to beat the Clippers off the dribble without having to worry about a blocked shot. The best example of this was a possession at about 8:30 in the 2nd, leading 32-26. The Clips settled into a 2-3 matchup zone. The Suns tossed it around the perimeter; then Marion set a down screen for Diaw, who circled and set up at the foul line. Banks got it to Diaw, who stepped back, drawing Kaman out in the process. Along with Kaman, Mobley trapped Diaw at the top of the circle. Everything looked nice until...Banks darted under the zone, straight to the basket, where Diaw - a freaky-good passer -- found him for an uncontested layup.

When you have bigs who can pass, life is a lot easier.

Am I being xenophobic or tribal by suggesting that I'm not sure if Tim Thomas is a Clipper? He had a horrible night, the worst of it coming at 9:22 in the 4th when he rolled out the red carpet for Marcus Banks to come right down the lane unmolested. The very next possession, Diaw, off the dribble, made him look ridiculous. A little later, at 3:03 in the 4th with the Clippers down only 6, he came out on Diaw and, again, got faked out on a little stutter step, giving Fatty a clear lane to the basket for an easy layup. In a matchup zone, TT can't defend the basket and he can't be trusted on the perimeter. Exactly what is he doing for your basketball team if he isn't making shots? I mean, I knew the guy wasn't gifted defensively, but I didn't realize that he could single-handedly decimate your interior defense.

The Clippers are a good basketball team. And good basketball teams need to trust their game.

Posted Wednesday, October 29 at 3:20PM

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Comments

The 2-3 zone at the end of the 3rd had some success.... then in the 4th, with Cassell and Thomas in the game and Brand getting a rest, there were a couple of possessions where I have no idea what defense we were in, and I'm pretty sure they don't either. It just killed them. You can't come back if you can't get stops, and that Banks layup and others at the beginning of the 4th were brutal.

You're right, we should pound it inside more especially with the bad shooting from outside. We I think shooting percentages really killed us tonight because we were compensating for thier crazy shooting inside. But even Brand couldn't hit the short jumper tonight like he did consistently last season. The foundations are there, and I'm not worried because we will shake that rust off. Shaun's dishing looks so good, I just hope he develops a real consistent shooting touch. And when in doubt, go to Brand.

I knew I wasn't just imagining things when I thought that there was something wrong with the Clips offence last night. Their normal inside game with the big men was unexplainably absent...something that works so well with a small team like the Suns, who baited the Clips into a shooting session.

First game jitters or not, the Clips didn't look too strong last night. I'm not worried because it is a long season and they played a good team. Hopefully come Saturday night when we have the re-match with the Suns on our home court, we'll have learned something.

As for last night, Shaun was a bust in the first half shooting terribly, but I think he matched his three point baskets made last season in the 3rd quarter going 2 for 2. Here's to hoping his first half misses where jitters.

I hope Corey being sick and missing most of the first game isn't another sign of things to come from him. We need him healthy. Also, anyone notice everytime he thinks he should get a foul called when he shoots his legs do the splits?

I agree with you Kevin, Tim doesn't look like a Clipper, he made me miss Vladmir, but it is one game so I can't start the haterade just yet.

This will probally be one of the worst played games of the year by the clips in terms of fluidity and we still had a shot to win this thing, on the road, against the division favorite who had much more to lose than the clippers had to gain by winning because you know pheonix wasnt going to start off 0-2. We will be ok as long as we keep maggs and tt's minutes down.

It was painful watching our 29%(or lower) shooting in the first half. It seemed like we couldnt buy a bucket. It also seemed like the Suns couldnt miss in the second half. They effectively got our bigs "Shook" by sending quick doubles when we tried to post.That's what messed up our game! I also noticed that Kaman was doing good in the post for a bit but we did get suckered into their "Run and Gun" Game. Even Kaman tried the quick outlet on one possession! TT needs to warm up, I think he'll come along as the season progresses.I gave up on Maggette last season.Someone must have told him he was a superstar... All looks, no action in my eyes(7th man at best.) Shaun,Cat,Sam,EB will always be decent to good. Well make up for all this bullshit vs Denver.

Couldn't agree with u more--where was the touches for Elton in the 2nd half? Elton was once again chewing the Suns up, but for some reason Dunleavy decided to forget about him for long periods during the 2nd half. Also, why not more Kaman? Kaman had 4 off. rebs in limited mins.

It was sort of jarring how much better the Lakers' offense flowed compared to the Clips. The Lakers have great personnel for the Triangle, multiple guys who can post & have super passing instincts. And now they added shooters like Rad & Evans to go along with Cook.